IMM gives unanimous thumbs up to unity

This decision was taken at the IMM's annual general meeting in Johannesburg today when its members adopted a special resolution agreeing, together with the Association of Marketers (ASOM) and the Direct Marketing Association (DMA), to transfer their undertakings, assets and liabilities to a new, yet-to-be-named Section 21 company.

The IMM is the last of the three major organisations forming the new marketing body to formally vote in favour of the new body. It follows the signing of a minute of intent by the Presidents of the three organisations in February this year.

IMM Acting Executive Director John Arnesen said: "I am delighted that IMM members have voted in support of the proposal to unite with ASOM and DMA. Given that our members are broadly representative of the marketing industry, the decision is a clear endorsement by the marketing fraternity of the efforts of so many people over a number of years to realize the dream of a united marketing body.

"So many synergies are possible through this body that I have no doubt it will take the marketing industry to even greater strengths within the South African business community. A united body will give our industry huge leveraging ability, which in turn will benefit the South African economy, enabling this country to take its place in a competitive global landscape," Arnesen added.

He said that the new body would provide an effective vehicle to act as the voice, home and authority of the marketing industry.

"The crux of unity will be illustrated by the increasing opportunity that it will give our profession to leverage wealth for business. For Africa to be successful in the global marketplace, it needs strong, capable marketing practitioners. The new entity will be the vehicle for this to happen through a broad range of activities - from entry level learnerships, through to the undergraduates and postgraduate programmes of the Graduate School of Marketing, the professional certification of Chartered Marketers, and the lobbying strengths of both ASOM and DMA."

The Chairman of the IMM, Mr James McLuckie, who has been responsible for driving the unification process and liaising with all three organisations, noted that the market had changed dramatically over the last ten years. The new single voice of marketing would provide added value for some 800 corporate members, in excess of 2000 individual members, 6000 students, and estimated 83 staff members. It is anticipated that the 800 corporate members will stimulate additional individual membership, he said.

IMM President Jabu Mabuza said the new body, which is expected to be fully operational by 1 January 2003, would enable a window of opportunity to be turned into a "fantastic resource" for the nation.

He added that unity was a significant step that would provide a powerful service to commerce and industry.